DCLB Taco vs. 4Runner for Hwy/Dirt Roads (no off-road)

Long story short: Brother and his wife are trading in their Jeep. They do a ton of highway and a ton of dirt roads to get to cool places. She loves the Jeep, he hated the repair bills. So they’re getting a Toyota (per my persuasion).

The one thing they both hated was losing teeth on bumpy roads.

Having owned a few Tacomas I recommended the DCLB for its length to help smooth out the washboards.

I’ve only owned 3rd Gen 4Runners so did not recommend even though the coils in the rear are MUCH better than leaf springs for a smooth ride. BUT I recently rode in a 5th Gen and the ride is much smoother than my Tacos..


Those who have owned both.. Purely stock, which would you recommend to smooth out the bumps. No other competition here. No truck vs. SUV.

100%, if you’re ridden in or owned both, which would you say is smoother on bumpy washboard backroads?

They’re having their first baby and that’s their number one priority between the two. Smooth ride on rough washboards.

Again, they won’t be modding like your or I would, so no KING Coilovers or anything. No lift. Nothing.

Stock, which do you think would ride more smooth. The advantage of the LENGTH of a DCLB Taco OR the advantage of the COILS over leaf springs in rear of the 4Runner.


This is roughly 2015 vs. 2015, 2nd Gen vs 5th Gen.


Some user feedback to show the Brother and Sister-in-law would be much appreciated, thank you!

Purely stock, purely smoothness of ride over rough roads and highway, all other criteria have been worked out.

Thanks for any feedback, amigos.

Happy New Year!

 

4Runner for sure, driven both many times and the rear axle makes a huge difference in the 4runner on gravel bumpy roads.

I drive a gravel road daily some weeks and have been saving up for a 5th gen 4runner for awhile. Currently have xterra that is doing better than my Tacoma did on bumpy roads.

Tires make a huge difference as well. Stock H/T tires that come with the 4runners are junk. I put Coopers on for my gravel road and it made a massive difference right away.

 

My 3rd Gen is smoother but the tail end also hops out in my a ton compared to the longer truck. You ever have this happen with the newer Runner? Forces me to slow way down. 5100s in the rear was a bad call for me I think ha.

 

Baby safety and all that ha.

 

Axle hop is normal for any solid axle truck. It's just the nature of the beast. I had a maxima that did it with its beam rear axle haha.

A ridgeline would probably do much better, but I have never driven a new over bumpy roads. I had a pilot for 2 years that did ok, but I never took it on more than 1/2 km of bumpy road at a time.

 

Owned 3 Tacomas and 1 4Runner. After 2 Tacomas got the wife the 4Runner, then I got another Tacoma. Getting a 4Runner. Then I'll just have 2 4Runners. Both great, 4Runner feels more premium.

 

Also, I've crashed a 3rd gen, they are very light on the rear axle. The 5th gens are more driver friendly in regards to weight. *(im not blaming the truck it was my fault)

 

I did tell them an Outback or Pilot would be better for them 99% of the time but the Mrs. liked being able to go anywhere with confidence with the Wrangler their trading, including deep snow, etc. They’re set on another 4x4 for their adventure rig. They can an old beater for a DD.

 

That’s just good to know for me haha. My turd Gen is getting expensive to keep fixing..

 

4Runner - no questions asked.

 

4Runner. Haven’t owned a 2nd gen DCLB for several years, but wife has a 4Runner and it does a pretty good job.

 

I've driven both and own a 2018 4runner. Hands down buy the 4runner.

Way better with kids too.

 

4Runner hands down.

 

I’ll be showing the bro and sis all these replies. Thank you all!

 

Thanks again, all! Most likely they’ll be going with a Runner soon and replace his beater with a Subie someday down the road.

Funny enough that’s probably where my wife and I will end up again if I don’t get another DCLB for the dirt bikes. If only I could have seven vehicles..

 

i had the 11 sport..now 18 runner limited. you already know the answer. the limited or more planted and smoother